Local insights, travel guides and authentic tips.
Sign up to get authentic stories, travel tips, and new experiences
By entering my email, I agree to receive marketing notifications from travel & do.
Showing 9 articles
Most visitors get exactly one day in Heraklion, and most of them spend it queuing at Knossos in the worst of the afternoon heat. It does not have to go that way. This is the order we would put the day in — the palace first thing, the Old Town on foot while the shade still favours you, the museum indoors when the sun is at its worst, and the Venetian harbour at the end. Every time and price below comes from our own booking calendar, so you can plan the day around what is genuinely running rather
Crete's red wines are easier to enjoy than to read. The island's leading red grape is almost never named on the front of a bottle, the two appellations built on it print no recipe at all, and the most confident Englishlanguage writing about Cretan wine repeats three claims that Greek planting and appellation records flatly contradict. This is the grapebygrape, labelbylabel version: what the four native reds taste like, why they are blended rather than bottled alone, what a PDO and a PGI
The Venetian fortresses of Crete still guard harbours, hilltops and remote islands across the coast. Some have become city landmarks, while others require a boat journey or a steep walk to reach their walls. This guide covers their history, the best fortresses to visit and how to include them in a trip around Crete.
Arkadi Monastery is one of the most important historical and religious sites in Crete. Its peaceful courtyard and Renaissance church stand at the centre of a story shaped by learning, resistance and the events of 1866. This guide covers the history of Moni Arkadiou, what to see and how to plan a visit from Rethymno.
Chania Venetian Harbour is the historic and social centre of western Crete’s best-known city. Its waterfront brings together a Venetian lighthouse, Ottoman architecture, old shipyards and narrow streets shaped by centuries of trade. This guide explains what to see, where to walk and how to experience Chania Old Town beyond its busiest promenade.
Spinalonga is one of Crete’s most affecting historical sites, a small fortified island shaped by war, trade, displacement and isolation. Its Venetian walls surround the remains of an Ottoman settlement and the community created by people sent there during its years as a leper colony. This guide explains the history of Spinalonga Island, how tickets work and the best ways to reach it by boat.
A Crete jeep safari turns one holiday day into a proper off-road expedition, climbing from the coast into gorges, plateaus and mountain villages. This guide breaks down the main routes, what they cost, the best time to go, and how to choose between shared and private tours. Read it before you book and the day will match the trip you actually want.
Crete is large enough that the best day trips in Crete range from pink-sand beaches to Europe's longest gorge and a former island fortress. This guide sorts the leading options by type, effort and travel time, so you can match a trip to your base and your energy. You will find practical notes on ferries, driving, seasons and costs, plus honest advice on what to skip. Read on, then build your days around the ideas that suit you.
Crete is large, varied, and easy to underestimate on a first trip. This guide to the best things to do in Crete covers the ruins, gorges, beaches and old towns worth your time, plus how to fit them together across a week. You will find plain notes on seasons, transport and where